The document outlines an action plan to address Sri Lanka's shortage of oil spill response capabilities and inadequacies in its maritime legal provisions for obtaining damage compensation. It identifies key issues such as a lack of expertise, equipment, and coordination. The plan's goals are to improve Sri Lanka's oil spill response capacity to 200 tons by 2026, train 2000 personnel by 2025, strengthen legal provisions for compensation by 2024, and establish a coordinated response system by 2025. Objectives and activities are outlined to acquire equipment, provide training, review laws and procedures, and set up a 24/7 operations center.

1. ACTION PLAN
SHORTAGE OF OIL SPILL RESPONSE CAPABILITIES
AND INADEQUACY OF MARITIME LEGAL
PROVISIONS TO OBTAIN DAMAGE
COMPENSATION
GROUP “D”

2. OUR TEAM
CDR MAAD SEPALA
NRX 1559
CHDO (W)
Sri Lanka Navy
LCDR JASW JAYASINGHE
NRX 2724
OIC P 436
Sri Lanka Navy
LCDR KLSD LIYANAGE
NRA 3128
A/SSO (LS )
Officer’s Personnel
LCDR DALP
RAMAWICKRAMA
NRA 2908
SO(LS) WP & I
LT DH WEERASINGHE
NRX 3887
ISPS Officer
SLNS Dakshina

3. Background
1
Target Group
2
SWOT Analysis and Strategies for SWOT
3
Goal and Objectives
4
Implementation
5
References
6
CONTENT

4. 1.1 BACKGROUND
Strategic Location
 Located in the center of SLOC connecting East and West.
 Location is very crucial in the Indian Ocean from a geostrategic perspective.
 2/3 of world’s oil and half of the world’s container shipment passes.
 Responsible Pollution Prevention Zone of 8 times larger than the land.

5. Oil Spill Concerns
 Approximately 25% of world's oil (550 million T Annually) is transported
very close to Sri Lanka.
 Oil spillages has become one of biggest threats.
 Causes detrimental damage and serious influences to the environment,
economy and livelihoods in the many sector.
RED Colour indicate Tankers

6. MARINE ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION
AUTHORITY
SRI LANKA PORTS
AUTHORITY
SRI LANKA NAVY
SRI LANKA COAST
GUARD
DISASTER
MANAGEMENT CENTER

7. 1.3 ANALYSIS OF CURRENT SITUATION
 39 major accidental oil spills have occurred in Sri Lankan waters between 1991
and 2021 causing incalculable damage.
 The threat of oil pollution is high due TO following key factors;
1. The geostrategic location.
2. High probability for accidents due to a high shipping density.
3. Oil unloading activities (Ex-bunker services).
4. Offshore oil exploration related activities.
Rise of occurrence

8.  Capability for oil pollution preparedness is at an immature level.
 Probability and risk of oil spill occurrences at a medium level and the
consequences are at a high level.
 Capability for oil response and legal provision to obtain compensations needs
to be improved to fill the existing gap.
Capacity for Oil Spill Response Effectiveness of National legal framework
for damage claim
Ref: NRDA for oil spills in Sri Lanka, Analysis by Sayakkara Mesthrilage Dinishiya Athukorala

9. Impacts
IMPACTS OF OIL SPILL
Human
1. Immediate fire hazard
2. Health Issues
3. Drinking water
contamination
4. Affects for fishing
industry, tourism etc
Environmental
1. Damage marine
life
2. Disrupting eco
system
3. Harm air quality
4. Toxic release

10. • MT NEW DIAMOND
• MV EXPRESS PEARL
RECENT OIL SPILL INCIDENTS IN SRI LANKA

11. MT NEW DIAMOND INCIDENT
 MT New Diamond is a VLCC.
 On 3 September 2020, the ship
caught fire off the western coast
of Sri Lanka.
 Resulting in the death of a Filipino
crew member.
 After burning intermittently for
almost a week, the fire was reported
to be extinguished by 11 September.
 Ship was carrying 270,000 MT Crude
oil.
 400m long 2m deep oil patch.
“ Could have been the largest oil spill and worst maritime disaster
in Sri Lanka” .

12. MV X-PRESS PEARL INCIDENT
• X-Press Pearl (Super Eco 2700
class container ship), caught fire on 20
May 2021 off the coast of Colombo.
• The vessel was engulfed in flames by 27
May and declared a total loss.
• After burning for 12 days, the vessel sank
on 2 June as it was being towed away to
deeper waters.
• The incident was deemed the worst
marine ecological disaster in Sri Lankan
history.

13. SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS
Lack of
Capability
Inadequate legal
provisions
Lack of expertise
knowledge
Barriers for oil spill response

14. 2.1 SWOTANALYSIS
S W
T
O
• NOSCOP and dedicated local authorities
• Oil spill response platforms of SLN, SLCG,
SLPA and SLAF.
• MARPOL
• UNCLOS
• Limited capacity.
• Lack of experience and expertise
knowledge.
• Grey areas in legal provisions Ex.
MARPOL, Salvage Convention
• Reactive responses and general lack of
coordination between them.
• Insufficient methods of collecting and
report evidence
• NA of Habitat Equivalency Analysis
• International and regional cooperation
• Knowledge share and training with the
assistance of KOICA, JICA, USA, ITOPF,
EU etc.
• Indian Ocean Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on Port State
Control
• South Asian Cooperative Environment
Programme
• Regional preparedness is at an
immature level.
• Probability of occurrences and
consequences are at a high level.
• Non compliance of international
laws.

15. 2.2 STRATEGIES FOR SWOT
OPPORTUNITY
THREAT
WEAKNESS
STRENGTH
• Invest for improving oil spill
response capacity.
• Enhance knowledge sharing,
experience and training of HR.
• Improve mutual cooperation
among regional countries.
• Train expertise in the subject.
• Improve legal regime to cater
existing gap.
• Revisit and develop existing
assessment and analysis of oil
spill damages.
• Invest regional preparedness
for oil response.
• Proactive measures for
occurrence of oil spill incident
and establishment of effective
monitoring system.
• Integrate national effort and
policy for preparedness and
response.
• Dedicated operation center
for monitoring and
responding maritime
disasters.

16. 3. GOALSAND OBJECTIVES
Improve the oil spill response platform and
equipment up to 200T by 2026.
Enhance HR of trained personal for oil spill
up to 2000 personal by 2026
Revisit the existing local legal regime for
maximum damage compensation by 2024.
Strengthening NOSCOP for more proactive
and synergic approach.
Systemized administrative system for preparing,
collecting, analyzing and presenting of relevant
data/information by 2025.
OBJECTIVES
Goal
Improve the oil spill
response capability and
strengthening the legal
framework for damage
compensation.
1
2
3
4
5

17. • 4.1.1 Enhance oil spill capabilities to handle up to 200T spill by 2026
Acquisition of two dedicated oil spill response
ships through collaboration with regional
counterparts by 2026 .
Acquisition of four 500m booms with other
necessary equipment by 2025.
Upgrade of available SLN and SLCG platform
with essential equipment for offshore
operations by 2024.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
Objectives and Activities

18. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
• 4.1.2 Enhance human resource of trained personal for oil spill up to 2000
personal 2026.
Increase of training 500
personal each year starting from
2023-2026.
Capacity building training for
expertise knowledge in liaise
with KOICA, JICA etc for senior
officials by 2025.
STEP 1
STEP 2

19. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
4.1.3 Revisit the existing local legal regime to in par with international laws
available for maximum damage compensation.
Reviewing of existing legal framework and
amend local legal provisions as required for
damage compensation by 2023
Signing of pending international conventions
by 2024. Salvage Convention etc
Implement identified legal provisions in to
local organizations act by 2025.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

20. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
4.1.4 Strengthening NOSCOP for more proactive and synergic approach by
2026.
Review existing NRDA damage assessment by
2023.
Dedicate responsibility for stake holders
implementing proactive measures by 2024.
Review of NOSCOP with other examples available
for more synergic approach among stake holders
by 2024.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

21. 4.1.5 Systemized administrative system for preparing, collecting,
analyzing and presenting of relevant data/information by 2025.
Identify international standards and issues in
current Sri Lankan system by 2023.
Arrange knowledge sharing pertinent to system
administering in liaise with KOICA, JICA etc by
2025.
Setting up a 24/7 operation centre for expeditious
action in the event of maritime accidents and
disasters by 2025.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

22. Objective 1
Improve the oil spill response platform and equipment up to
200T by 2026.
Activities Duration
Measurable
Indicators
Implementing
Agency
1.1 Acquisition of two dedicated oil
spill response ships by 2026 through
collaboration with regional
counterparts.
4 years Increasing of
Capability for
oil spill
response
MEPA, SLN,
SLCG
1.2 Acquisition of four 500m booms
with other necessary equipment by
2025
3 years More
equipment
MEPA
1.3 Upgrade of available SLN and
SLCG platform with essential
equipment for offshore operations by
2024.
1 years Improve
capability
SLN, SLCG

23. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
Objective 2
Enhance human resource of trained personal for oil spill up
to 2000 personal by 2025.
Activities Duration Indicators
Implementin
g Agency
2.1 Increase of training 500 personal
each year starting from 2023-2026.
4 years Availability of
trained HR
MEPA, SLN,
SLCG
2.2 Capacity building training for
expertise knowledge in liaise with
KOICA, JICA etc for senior officials by
2025.
3 years Expertise
knowledge on
oil spill
MEPA, SLN,
SLCG, SLPA

24. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
Objective 3
Revisit the existing local legal regime to in par with international
laws available for maximum damage compensation by 2024
Activities Duration Indicators
Implementing
Agency
3.1 Reviewing of existing legal
framework and amend local
legal provisions as required
for damage compensation by
2023.
1 year Comprehensive
legal
framework
MEPA
3.2 Signing of pending
international conventions by
2024.
2 years Maximization
of legal
provisions
MEPA
3.3 Implement identified legal
provisions in to local
organizations act by 2025.
3 years Empowered
responsibility
MEPA

25. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
Objective 4
Implement proper and integrated national mechanism
for oil spill response by inclusion of key stake holders
by 2025.
Activities
Duratio
n
Indicators
Implementin
g Agency
4.1 Review existing NRDA
damage assessment by 2023.
1 year Better damage
assessment
MEPA
4.2 Dedicate responsibility for
stake holders implementing
proactive measures by 2024.
2 year Oil spill
readiness
MEPA
4.3 Review of NOSCOP with
other examples available for
more synergic approach among
stake holders by 2024.
2 year Synergy in
operation
MEPA

26. 4.1 IMPLEMENTATION
Objective 5
Systemized administrative system for preparing, collecting,
analyzing and presenting of relevant data/information by
2025.
Activities Duration Indicators
Implementing
Agency
5.1 Identify international standards
and issues in current Sri Lankan
system by 2023.
1 year Reduced
administrative
system gap
MEPA
5.2 Arrange knowledge sharing
pertinent to system administering in
liaise with KOICA, JICA etc by
2025.
2 years Improved
administrative
guidance
MEPA
5.3 Setting up a 24/7 operation
centre for expeditious action in the
event of maritime accidents and
disasters by 2025.
3 years Expertise
knowledge on
administration
MEPA

27. 4.2 PROJECT SCHEDULE – 4 YEAR WORK PLAN BUDGET
ALLOCATION (USD)
OUTCOME ACTIVITY 2023 2024 2025 2026 INT EXT SUM
1. Enhance oil spill
capabilities to handle up to
200T spill by 2026
1.1 Acquisition of two dedicated oil spill
response ships by 2026.
01 SHIP 01 SHIP 100M 100M
1.2 Acquisition of four 500m booms by 2025
1M 4M 5M
1.3 Upgrade of SLN and SLCG platform by
2024.
1M 1M 2M
2. Enhance human resource
of trained personal for oil
spill up to 2000 personal.
2.1 Increase of training 500 personal each year
2023-2026.
500P 500P 500P 500P 1M 1M
2.2 Capacity building training for senior officials
0.5M 0.5M
3. Revisit the existing local
legal regime to in par with
international laws.
3.1 Reviewing of existing legal framework by
2023.
Available local resources
will be utilized.
3.2 Signing of pending international conventions
by 2024.
3.3 Implement identified legal provisions by
2025.
4. Strengthening NOSCOP
for more proactive and
synergic approach by 2026.
4.1 Review existing NRDA damage assessment
by 2023.
4.2 Dedicate responsibility for stake holders by
2024.
4.3 Review of NOSCOP by 2024.
5. Systemized
administrative system for
preparing, collecting,
analyzing and presenting of
relevant data/information
by 2025.
5.1 Identify issues in current Sri Lankan system
by 2023.
5.2 Administering knowledge sharing by 2025.
5.3 Setting up a 24/7 operation centre for
expeditious action in the event of maritime
accidents and disasters by 2025.
5M 5M
2M 111.5M 113.5M

28. Activity
1.2, 2.2, 3.3, 5.3
 Obj. 3 & 5
Activity
1.3, 3.2, 4.2,
4.3, 5.2
 Obj. 4
2023 2024 2025 2026
Activity
3.1, 4.1. 5.1
Activity
1.1, 2.1
 Obj. 1 & 2
TIME LINE OF PROGRESS
Obj. 23 24 25 26
1 33.3% 66.6% 100%
2 50% 100%
3 33.3% 66.6% 100%
4 33.3% 100%
5 33.3% 66.6% 100%

29. 4.3ALTERNATIVE PLAN
1. Build-up a mechanism of co-operation from regional counterparts for
required capabilities (Ex. Platform and equipment) in response to major oil
spill incidents.
2. Obtaining of required legal expertise from external body for damage
assessment, analysis and damage compensation.
3. Taking action to make Sri Lanka an active member of the IMO,
considering the potential to act as a Statutory Salvour and focus
on the potential for setting up oil spill response as well as
improving human resources and capabilities.

30. 4.4 CO-OPERATION
 Corporation of KOICA will be requested for the initiation, progress and the co
mpletion of the Action Plan.

31. 5. REMARKS
1. Address : Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka
2. Affiliation : Sri Lanka Navy
3. Position and Name : Cdr MAAD Sepala
LCdr KLSD Liyanage
LCdr JASW Jayasinghe
LCdr DALP Ramawickrama
Lt DH Weerasinghe
4. Telephone No : +94112421151
5. KOICA Sri Lanka : No 9/2, Dudley Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 8.
+94112 667 969
5.1 CONTACT DETAILS

32. Thank You….